Critics lash out at cops over speaker stance

Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

York Regional Police have released a statement in a bid to quell rising anger directed at the force from some members of York Region's Jewish community.

The force is working to clarify its stance on Pamela Geller, an American blogger and activist, who is the founder of Stop Islamization of America and is also known for criticism of plans to build a Islamic Community Centre near the former site of the World Trade Center.

Her planned speaking event at Chabad@Flamingo Synagogue in Thornhill conflicts with the force's values and much of its work to enhance community relationships in the region, the police service said.

The synagogue's rabbi, Mendel Kaplan, is one of the force's eight volunteer chaplains.

"Rabbi Kaplan’s connection to Ms. Geller’s event posed a concern for York Regional Police as it would put our organization in conflict with our long-held position of inclusivity," according to the statement. "As a result, Rabbi Kaplan, a volunteer member of our service, was provided with additional information regarding the proposed guest speaker by Insp. Ricky Veerappan, the officer in charge of the diversity, equity and inclusion bureau."

Despite comments on Twitter and elsewhere on the Internet, suggesting the rabbi was threatened with being stripped of his role, the force said this wasn't true.

"Reports that Rabbi Kaplan was ‘threatened’ by York Regional Police are a flagrant misrepresentation of the facts," the statement continued. "While York Regional Police supports Ms Geller’s right to free speech, there is an expectation of all members of our organization to act in accordance with our values and the expectations of our community."

The speaking engagement has since been cancelled by the synagogue, the statement noted.

Rabbi Kaplan chose not to comment on the matter when reached today.

Jeremy Grimaldi is the Crime and Justice Reporter with York Region.com. He can be reached at jgrimaldi@yrmg.com
. Follow him on Twitter
and York Region Media Group on Facebook

|

(6) Comment

By Dave|MAY 07, 2013 03:47 PM

In regard to free speech, it is interesting to contrast this issue against the desire of the "Queers Against Israeli Apartheid" (QUAIA) organization to exercise their right to free speech by marching in the Toronto Pride parade. For the past several years, many members of the Jewish community have not only failed to defend QUAIA's right to free speech, but they have also actively petitioned the City of Toronto, demanding that Pride Toronto be denied of all city funding for allowing QUAIA to participate in the Toronto pride parade. I find it amazing how some people are so easily able to reverse their principles to suit different occasions.

Inspect. Veerappan needs a few lessons in free speech and how essential it is to our democracy. The police commission has to address this and Veerappan should be reprimanded. Any interference, especially by police, in our right to speak freely cannot be tolerated.

Based on the fact that the event was already scheduled at this venue, the Rabbi was in agreement from the start. It was Insp. Veerappan's interference, sanctioned by the YRP, that forced the cancellation. The only divisiveness created here is by YRP who has succumbed to the request of one group to satisfy and appease another. Furthermore, who was "forcing" who regarding a speaking opportunity? Again, free speech is exactly that.....free speech, given by a willing speaker to a willing audience. Just out of curiosity, I wonder if YRP monitors speeches of "other" speakers in "other" places of worship??? You know, just to be fair....and prevent divisiveness. If you "don't see the problem" with this YRP fail, then you're contributing to it.

If any foreign visitor wants to take advantage of our local organizations, by having them provide a platform on which they can spread divisive or discriminatory messages against any minority, then I wouldn't want them speaking at any event of mine. I suspect the Rabbi felt the same way. As long as it was the Rabbi that made the decision, rather than it being a police decision, I see no problem with this. The Rabbi absolutely has the right to decide who should or who should not speak at his synagogue. Geller's freedom of speech means she has the right to speak elsewhere, but it does mean that everyone holding any event in the region should be forced to provide her with a speaking opportunity.

“If he had not cancelled the event – and again, that was his decision – then we would have had to re-evaluate his relationship with York Regional Police because it would be clearly be in contravention of the values of our organization,” said Insp. Veerappan.
Police have no business trying to abrogate free speech with veiled threats. Free speech does not contravene the values of a public organization. A sad day for an otherwise great police force.